http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2007/10/controversial-r.html By Ryan Singel Wired.com October 22, 2007 A reportedly rogue Russian web hoster accused of being home to the web's worst scams says it's clean, but that its vocal and well-respected critics are anything but. Anti-spam group Spamhaus won't follow its own rules and strongarms innocent ISPs into violating contracts, while Verisign's research arm pumps out security misinformation to justify its security contracts with its customers, the company charges. The Russian Business Network is a secretive Russian web hosting provider that Western security firms say plays host to some of the worst scams on the internet. RBN tells THREAT LEVEL via email that those accusations are similar to Bush administration exaggerations about Iraq's non-existent weapons of mass destruction that RBN says was cover for earning "petrodollars." According to respected security groups such as Verisign's iDefense group, SANS Internet Storm Center and Secure Computing, the Russian Business Network is a rogue web hosting provider that caters to child pornography purveyors, financial phishing scams and hackers controlling armies of zombie computers. RBN charges some $600 a month for a dedicated server and protection from takedowns due to abuse complaints, according to iDefense. But Russian Business Network representative Tim Jaret forcefully denies the accusations. He says that the company investigates abuse complaints and takes care of them if there is a violation of law. But most of the complaints from iDefense didn't have "any ground or proves of violation of [RBN's acceptable use policy] or country legislation," Jaret told THREAT LEVEL. RBN is particularly unhappy about its interactions with its listing on Spamhaus, an organization which compiles one of the most widely used black lists of spammers on the internet. Spamhaus ignores its own removal policies, strong-arms web providers into turning over information about its clients as the price to be paid for getting off the black list, and is prejudiced against companies located in Russia, according to RBN's Jaret. [...] __________________________________________________________________ CSI 2007 is the only conference that delivers a business-focused overview of enterprise security. It will convene 1,500+ delegates, 80 exhibitors and features 100+ sessions/seminars providing a roadmap for integrating policies and procedures with new tools and techniques. Register now for savings on conference fees and/or free exhibits admission. - www.csiannual.com
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